In September of 2017, Port Angeles High School Senior Glenn Deckard and a fellow classmate Dawson Vanvorst had an idea for a community service project, to create a welcome to Port Angeles sign, replacing the old one since gone at the corner of Lauridsen Blvd. and S. Lincoln St. for the city of Port Angeles. After taking initial measurements of the old sign Deckard and Vanvorst made a demo of the proposed new sign design to present to teachers and city leaders.

It is fair to say that as the project gained momentum, it would need to have additional assistance from fellow students for the final vision to be realized. Task Manager, Mariah Rolley-Fortman and, Art Designer, Sawyer Larsen and Corey Delikat from the Port Angeles Parks Department were brought into the fold to help in making the project a reality.

The students found themselves consumed in a multitude of experiences beyond physically building the sign to make the project come to fruition. They attended sub-committee meetings, gained the assistance of local sign maker Jackson Smart of Jackson SignArt Studio and met with Hartnagel Building Supply to request the donation of materials. Finally they used the project to compete in the Skills USA competition that led the students to the state level.

The sign was created in whole by Deckard, Rolley-Fortman and Larsen with hands on assistance from Jackson Smart. Kiln-dried cedar, glues, paint and sundries were donated in whole by Hartnagel Building Supply and tools utilized from the Port Angeles High School Shop assisted in its completion. The welcome sign can now be appreciated by all those that call Port Angeles home and the millions of people that visit each year.

It is obvious that the students took full advantage of their opportunities while attending to responsibilities well outside their normal day to day activities. Angeles Millwork and Hartnagels are proud to have a small part in a project that will be appreciated by so many. To know that these students exposed themselves to professional development, politics and community partnership only adds to our continued optimism for our communities in the years to come.

Join us in supporting the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) by making purchases or donating directly during our “Community First Saturday” event on Saturday July 7th, 2018. PTC representatives will be present at both stores, informing customers of Hartnagels and Angeles Millworks about their outstanding all volunteer organization. 5% of all retail sales collected that Saturday and 100% of donations taken in the store, now through then, will be split with this incredible organization AND the Mt Olympus Chapter of the Back Country Horseman of Washington!

Funds raised at the stores will be used to continue the progress of right of way procurement, landowner agreements, construction of trail segments and trail facilities, as well as maintaining the Olympic Discovery Trail and supporting its hundreds of volunteers. There are multiple areas of the trail that are completed, or are in various stages of development, but construction and the complexity of creating a complete trail is costly and there’s a constant need for community support.

We chose the Peninsula Trails Coalition as a Community First Saturday recipient because we believe that a continuous trail that links the principal communities of the peninsula will be an amazing asset for all of us. It has, and will continue to, encourage people from all around the world to experience our incredible environment in a low impact and healthy way. We know that continued investment in the ODT will lead to ever greater economic and cultural benefits to the entire Olympic Peninsula and its residents. The immense amount of volunteer hours and donated funds that make up a project such as this deserves support and promotion from companies like ours and customers like you!

PTC’s mission is:

To promote construction, maintenance, and use of the Olympic Discovery Trail as a nationally significant, non-motorized, multi-use trail across the North Olympic Peninsula.

PTC’s vision is:

To create and sustain the Olympic Discovery Trail as a world-class, multi-use, non- motorized trail system connecting communities across the North Olympic Peninsula, while serving as a catalyst for recreation, community health, transportation, and economic development.

PTC was founded in 1988, with an idea that grew out of discussions between 3 young peninsula bicyclists who were interested in creating a public access trail for non-motorized travel between Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and the Pacific Coast.

The idea took root and the vision Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) became an active inspiration for what is now more than 70 miles of completed trail segments. The completed trail will connect the population centers of the area, from Port Townsend on Puget Sound west toward Forks, and onward to the Pacific Ocean at La Push, an overall total of about 130 miles, utilizing as much as possible of the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad corridor.

Like any 130 mile trail and/or converted rail grade, there is a long history behind what we see and enjoy today. Click HERE to read more about ODT’s past as well as how far it has come.

Mark it down on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone and run, bike or walk on down to Angeles Millwork or Hartnagel Building Supply, Saturday July 7th, and shop with a purpose. Community non-profits help to keep our communities whole, profitable and productive. But it can’t be done without everyone’s help. Your participation matters!

Join us in supporting the Mt Olympus Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington (Mt Olympus Chapter BCHW) by making purchases or donating directly during our “Community First Saturday” event on Saturday July 7th, 2018. Mt Olympus Chapter BCHW representatives will be present at both stores and educating people on their outstanding non-profit organization. 5% of all retail sales collected that Saturday and 100% of donations taken in the store, now through then, will be split with this incredible organization AND the Peninsula Trails Coalition!

Funds raised at the stores will be used to upgrade the infrastructure of the Littleton/Mt. Muller Trail and Littleton Horse Camp. With the current condition of access roads to the Elwha in hiatus and the increased use of Olympic Discovery Trail, which adjoins the Littleton/Mt Muller Trail, more hikers, bicycle riders and stock riders are in need of additional camping opportunities. Littleton Horse Camp has suffered some infrastructure losses due to theft. The improvements currently underway and planned for the future, include picnic tables, fire rings and continued campground and trail maintenance, which will benefit all users.

Angeles Millwork and Hartnagels chose Mt Olympus Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington as a Community First Saturday recipient because we know that the education, such as Leave No Trace ethics, wilderness first aid for horses and humans, trail improvement and maintenance are essential to our unique environment our local economy and community. Those who choose to volunteer their time, resources, and in this case, actual blood, sweat and tears, deserve the support of companies like ours and customers like you!

The mission of Mt Olympus Chapter BCHW

To perpetuate the common-sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s backcountry and wilderness.

To work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.

To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource.

To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the backcountry resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.

To foster and encourage the formation of new chapters in the state organization.

While Mt Olympus is the newest chapter of BCHW, their members are not new to Back Country Horsemen of Washington and America or to riding and packing horses/mules on trails. Mt Olympus Chapter BCHW is a group of experienced riders and trail warriors who are dedicated to the BCHW mission statement of keeping public lands open for historic stock use and ultimately for the enjoyment of all trail users.

Mt Olympus Chapter BCHW benefit their membership, the horse and trail user community by sponsoring a variety of educational programs for both young and old during membership meetings and at the Mt Olympus member’s ranches and farms. Mt Olympus Chapter members schedule events for Leave No Trace principles, Trail Encounters and Horsemanship, Share the Trail events for bicyclists and equestrians, Trail Tool Maintenance and Safety, Chainsaw Certification and Wilderness First Aid for the horse and human.

Mark it down on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone and trot on down to Angeles Millwork or Hartnagel Building Supply, Saturday July 7th, and shop with a purpose. Community non-profits help to keep our communities whole, profitable and productive. But it can’t be done without everyone’s help. Your participation matters!

Want to know more about the Mt Olympus Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington?

Learn what it takes to volunteer HERE *Horse ownership or riding skills not necessary

Join us in supporting Port Angeles Pet Posse by making purchases or donating directly during our “Community First Saturday” event on Saturday June 2nd, 2018. Pet Posse representatives will be present at both stores handing out free gifts and holding a raffle for pet supplies!

Funds raised will be used to support reuniting of animals, the hospital project, and their newest pet service, the Veterinary Transport. The transport vehicle is available to take your pets for routine veterinary treatment, or for emergency care, if needed.

We chose Port Angeles Pet Posse as a Community First Saturday recipient because we personally know customers and friends that have had a lost pet returned to them due to the direct action of their efforts. Their grass roots local network of people online and in the community is essential to their success and we as local businesses know how important our pets’ safety is to each of us. Pet Posse has an essential need for additional support in the way of funds and is also looking for those that can honestly commit a portion of their time to be reliable and devoted volunteers.

Pet Posse was formed to help others reunite with their pets. Their founder realized that the community needed assistance and started a search and rescue for lost and found pets and their owners. At the time, there was nowhere to turn or resources available. The first search by Pet Posse was in November 2014, and since then they have reunited almost 1700 pets with their owners. Searches are at no cost to the owner, although the owner is expected to cover the costs of flyers and, if needed, assist the searchers.

How It Works

Port Angeles Pet Posse is an all-volunteer group that works with owners to find their lost pets or found pets looking for their “lost” owners. Pet Posse volunteers are unpaid, donating their time because they know how difficult it can be to lose a pet. They also care for unattended pets whose owners are in the hospital, assist veterans and indigent people in saying goodbye to an elderly or terminally ill pet. Pet Posse is prepared to help the county in the event of a natural disaster.

Donations are crucial to help in continuing their mission of reuniting pets with their owners and funds are used to help that next animal that is missing, support our shelter, the OMC project, Veterans project, and other projects.

Pet Posse is available for presentations to community groups, schools, or interested organizations, to help provide information and awareness about the Port Angeles Pet Posse, pet safety, etc. Contact them to schedule a presentation.

Pet Posse is also in need of supplies, so if you’d like to donate something other than cash click HERE for a list of needed items.

One of the countless happy stories from Port Angeles Pet Posse.

Hunter is a 7 year old Saint Bernard who lives in the Joyce area. He took off on January 31 after some exotic smell, and was nowhere to be found for days. We posted his picture on our Facebook and shared it as far as Forks. On February 3, a couple was out on the trails in the Striped Peak area, 6-7 miles from Joyce, and came across a Saint Bernard lying beside the trail, just waiting. Luckily, they had seen our post and knew exactly who this big boy was, brought him back with them, and called the Pet Posse. This picture is after his big adventure. He looks pretty worn out!

Mark it down on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone and run on down to Angeles Millwork or Hartnagel Building Supply, Saturday June 2nd, and shop with a purpose. Community non-profits help to keep our communities whole, profitable and productive. But it can’t be done without everyone’s help. Your participation matters!

Join us in supporting Olympic Peninsula Equine Network (OPEN) by making purchases or donating directly during our “Community First Saturday” event on Saturday June 2nd, 2018. OPEN representatives will be present at both stores and are bringing a mini horse, educating people on their outstanding non-profit and selling tickets to their fundraising dinner, auction and barn dance, with music by the Buck Ellard Band. The fundraiser will be held at the grand opening of Foxbell Weddings and Celebrations! If you can’t drop by and purchase your tickets in person, call Mike Vaillancourt @ 714-222-0755

Funds raised at the stores will be used to assist in daily maintenance of rescued horses, the construction of additional horse shelters, infrastructure, paddocks and property drainage at OPEN’s property in Sequim.

We chose Olympic Peninsula Equine Network as a Community First Saturday recipient because we are aware that the expense and labor of taking care of horses in need can be monumental. Angeles Millwork and Hartnagels felt that the opportunity to support and build awareness for the only horse rescue in Clallam County was essential in our mission for Community First Saturday. OPEN is in great need for additional working funds and always looking for likeminded horse lovers that can be devoted volunteers.

According to information published by The Humane Society of the United States, approximately 100,000 horses are sent every year to slaughter facilities in Canada and Mexico. And the USDA has documented that “92.3 percent of the horses sent to slaughter are in good condition and are able to live out a productive life.”

The goal of OPEN is to rescue as many of those at-risk horses as possible, and help if even in a small way, reduce the number of horses that are unnecessarily killed.

Officially a non-profit in 2012, OPEN was created after Valerie Jackson and Diane Royall spent years together, rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing at risk horses. In the beginning, the pair did whatever they could, paying for expenses out of their household budgets and on many occasions having to purchase horses outright in order to save them. OPEN evaluates the needs of each horse they rescue, giving it feed, veterinary and hoof care, and sometimes just time to recover from any traumas. OPEN is not a sanctuary, the goal is for all animals to eventually find good new homes or if their riding days are behind them, place them in long term foster care.

OPEN cares for the horses at their facility in Sequim, that after years of hard work and generous donations has grown from a 3-acre plot of raw land to a cross fenced facility with covered paddocks, hay shelter, offices and a new tack store. The tack store features donated horse related items and tack, it is open to the public and provides funding support for ongoing expenses.

To support older and semi-retired horses, OPEN created a Golden Retirement program. When horses are deemed ready, they look for long term foster homes where as companion or light riding horses they stay under OPEN’s nonprofit umbrella and their expenses can be considered a donation to the rescue. These horses can seriously deplete the resources of any rescue, but they are worth their weight in gold as teachers and companions and deserve a stress-free retirement.

Several times a year OPEN hosts a public Equine Vet Clinic in an effort to keep routine vet care affordable. At these clinics the vet provides care such as vaccinations, tooth floats, castrations, x-rays etc. OPEN has found that helping a horse owner through a rough financial time can sometimes make it possible for a horse to remain with its owner, rather than being given up to a rescue or sold at auction, which is how most horses enter the Kill Pen (slaughter) pipeline.

OPEN recently joined LARRG, Local Animal Rescue and Recovery Guidance Team, run by the Clallam County Sheriff. The program is designed to help deal with displaced animals in the event of a natural disaster. OPEN can offer assistance with temporary containment and with the help of local Back-Country Horseman groups, could have a dozen horse trailers ready to go within hours in case of emergency or evacuation situation.

One of many happy stories from Olympic Peninsula Equine Network

Six Lives Saved by Valerie Jackson, OPEN president

On a cold Saturday morning in January, Diane Royall, our ranch manager and I left Sequim at 3a.m. with my horse trailer in tow, intent on making the long drive to Sunnyside, Washington, on the other side of the state. We had a strict 9 a.m. appointment with a kill buyer. If we weren’t there in time, he said we would have to come back on Tuesday, and there was a chance the horses we wanted might have been shipped to a slaughter plant in Canada. We had raised enough money to save two horses, and we brought more cash of our own to possibly save two more. We not only made the meeting in time but managed to stuff 4 horses into my 3 horse trailer. Two of the mares were pregnant, so in the end we saved 6 lives that day. Vannah was one of those mares, and she gave birth to a healthy colt in May.

Mark it down on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone and gallop on down to Angeles Millwork or Hartnagel Building Supply, Saturday June 2nd, and shop with a purpose. Community non-profits help to keep our communities whole, profitable and productive. But it can’t be done without everyone’s help. Your participation matters!

We’d like to thank everyone who shopped with us this past Saturday, you are the driving force behind the current and future success of our Community First Saturdays. 5% of the retail sales was donated to the Captain Joseph House Foundation along with over $200 in cash donations from our customers!

Our customers have now helped raise over $2300.00 for non-profits on the Olympic Peninsula! Wooohoooo!

If you missed it, or you want to shop and feel awesome again, join us Saturday June 2nd as we continue on with Community First Saturdays by benefiting the Olympic Peninsula Equine Network AND the Port Angeles Pet Posse. Representatives from both non-profits will be at the stores that Saturday sharing with our customers about the great impact they have on our communities and the essential work they do for our favorite four legged friends!

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In keeping with the annual tradition that we have done each October with Operation Uplift, we feel like our companies can accomplish supporting a local organization in the same spirit once every month.

Starting this April, and scheduled for the first Saturday of each month, we will be donating 5% – 2.5% of our retail sales to one or more predetermined local community organizations and or non-profits. (See schedule below.)

On the first Saturday of the month, chosen organizations will be present at our stores. They will have a small display set up advertising their organization or non-profit, and will be able to take direct donations.

We can’t do it without YOU!

As a community, we encourage you to get behind these events. Your excitement and involvement is contagious! Our Saturday employees will be decked out in special T-shirts and there will be a direct donation box on the front counter at each store. We encourage our customers to drop a dime, a quarter or even a dollar in the box to support the chosen organization. Every little bit helps and it all adds up to the additional community support that is needed in so many ways.

A couple weeks before the first Saturday of the month, we will have a website blog post that will also be posted on our Facebook page about each organization. This will provide the local community with all the necessary information about the organization(s) or non-profit(s) we are supporting. The essence of our message and our mission with these events is to provide as much support as we can for locally based organizations who work so hard to have a positive outreach in our community. We will announce each month after the event how much, we as a community have raised.

We hope that our customers can take even more pride in shopping with us, as we are all an integral piece in making the community we live in a better place.

We’d like to make a call out to our customers, clients and neighbors to help with our new “Donate a Stud” campaign for VIMO!

Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, or (VIMO) for short, is a free clinic primarily serving low-income, veterans and homeless patients living in Clallam and Jefferson counties. VIMO has medical, behavioral health and dental facilities housed in a crowded building in Port Angeles, WA and currently treat the growing population of under and uninsured patients that typically rely on Olympic Medical Center’s emergency room.

We at Angles Millwork & Lumber Co and Hartnagel Building Supply are committed to putting our efforts in supporting the growth of grassroots non-profits. VIMO is a perfect example of the great services that can be accomplished when caring industry professionals and community volunteers give back to their community. With your help, VIMO will move crowded administrative offices currently held in an exam room and overflowing behavioral health facilities to a new building allowing much needed space to serve additional patients and increase the resources to the underserved in our community.

So how can you Help?

By purchasing a “stud” at either of our stores for just $5 each. Our goal is to raise $10,000 and fund a large majority of the new VIMO building’s costs. Donators will be featured on an in store display, on our website and on our social media postings.

VIMO relies on volunteer providers and staff to deliver services to more than 1,500 patients each year. To become a part of the VIMO team and help building up the community, email info@vimoclinic.org to request a volunteer packet.